SAT - 4.5 Brainstorming Strategies for Writing Your SAT Essay

One of the most misunderstood parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is the essay. Yet, if you plan, prepare and practice properly it will be the easiest part of the whole test. So, take the time to practice essay brainstorming.

Strategy #1 Choose Sides

The first thing you need to do after you read the essay prompt is decide whether you are pro or con. Every SAT essay prompt will be a YES or a NO question, so choose yes or no. Even if the question could be answered with a "that depends" don't go there, stay with yes or no.

Once you have chosen your side, stick with it. Don't change your mind or vacillate between the two sides. It will cost you, if you do.

Strategy #2 Outline Your Plan

After you decide whether you are pro or con take about five minutes or so to brainstorm your topic. This step will help you stay organized and give your essay a polished look. Your goal is to write about 4 to 5 paragraphs that will take up most of the room for writing.

So, write your introduction sentence and the two or three points you will use to defend your position. Then, decide what examples you will use to illustrate your points. Finally, write your closing sentence.

Now, using this information build an outline for your essay and use the outline as a guide to write each paragraph.

• Introduction
• Point one
• Point two
• Point three
• Closing

Strategy #3 Use Appropriate Examples

As you write your essay remember to use appropriate examples for your points. You can tap into examples from your favorite books, history, current affairs, pop culture, school, personal experience and your imagination. It doesn't even matter if the example is real or not as long as it supports your point.

Strategy #4 Answer the Question

It is absolutely imperative that you answer the question they are asking. It won't matter how good your essay is if you answer a question different from the one they are asking. So after you write your outline, reread the question and verify you are answering the question they are asking. If not redo your outline.

You must answer the appropriate question or you will get zero points. OUCH!

Strategy #4.5 Always Close

If you get caught up in the writing of your essay and you don't close you will pay dearly. You must close! The introduction paragraph and the closing paragraph are the two most important parts of your essay. Leave either one of them out and you will receive a low score even if your message is awesome.

So, close with a bang and catch their attention with a call to action. The closing can be the difference between a good score and a great score.

Remember brainstorming will help you write an organized, interesting and clean essay. But, it won't happen unless you take action and practice the strategies above. Invite you to learn more about SAT Prep at http://yourSATcoach.com

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